Two High Sheriffs, a crown court judge and coroner who were all given �60 parking tickets while having lunch in Bedford have been told they do not have to pay up.

Police had coned off a pay and display parking area next to the town's magistrates court so the dignitaries could attend the annual service for the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in St Paul's Church last week.

After the service the group, who were in ceremonial dress, went for lunch in the town's Swan hotel.

While they were eating, the cones were removed and a council parking attendant slapped the �60 fines on the windscreens, including the blue Rolls Royce of the Bedfordshire High Sheriff Colin Mason.

Among those ticketed were the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire Jane Lewin-Smith, Judge Geoffrey Breen and the Bedfordshire coroner David Morris.

Bedford Borough Council, which controls the parking attendants, has now confirmed that the parking tickets have been scrapped.